Gary Taubes On Larry King Live
October 22, 2007 by Claire
Filed under Women's Health
You might remember me mentioning the groundbreaking book Good Calories, Bad Calories by scientific journalist Gary Taubes. When I found out he was going to be on CNN’s Larry King Live last Friday, I knew I had to watch.
To make it as controversial as possible, there were several low-fat supporters on board. Dr. Oz, Oprah’s doctor and author of You: On A Diet was on there, as well as Dr. Andrew Weil, an alternative medicine guru, Jillian Michaels, one of the trainers from The Biggest Loser, and Poppy, one of last season’s Biggest Loser at-home contestants who lost 100 pounds.
What I was hoping would be a promotion and explanation of what Mr. Taubes talks about in his book turned into a free-for-all as he was interrupted by each guest – and the host – too many times to count. The worst was Dr. Oz (who I have no respect for anymore) as he wouldn’t let Mr. Taubes get a word in edgewise and called him “psychotic” for believing something other than the low-fat dogma.
Highlights – Dr. Oz insulting Joy Behar (the host in for Larry King) by saying “So you come into my office and I tell you you’re obese…” and “So Joy, who would you rather look like, Gary or Jillian?”; Mr. Taubes smirking as Dr. Oz talks about how he gets hungry all the time; and Jillain and Mr. Taubes bickering over whether exercise helps you lose weight.
All in all, it was a show worth watching. If you didn’t catch it, you can read the transcript here. Did you watch it? Let me know in the comments!
Claire
I did watch the show and your comments are on target.
I’m pleased that Dr. Weil took Gary Taubes’ work seriously.
Yes, he did – I was pleased by that also. However, I didn’t appreciate his comment about a “mostly meat and no carb” diet. He should have done his research!
Hey Claire,
The best part of the interview was Dr. Andrew Weil’s comments. I posted them at YouTube yesterday–here’s the link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aoQGRJqGQTs
Thanks Jimmy!
My Letter to Larry King:
Dear Larry,
Glad you had Gary Taubes and his important book “Good Calories, Bad Calories” on your show and included the wisdom of Dr. Weil. Sad that you included Dr. Oz and his interrupting rudeness, his dogmatic approach to medicine and his arrogant attitude. He is so in the dark about nutrition and exercise that Oprah should be embarrassed to have him on her show giving the selective information he does. I am sure that profit is a motivation. As for Ms. Michaels, an insult to my sex, did she think that insulting Mr. Taubes exhibited any class? Please have Gary on again without all the riff-raff.
Diane
Thanks for the comments, Diane! I totally agree